全球都在围剿“夺命门把手”

Core Viewpoint - Recent lawsuits against Tesla highlight safety concerns regarding the design of hidden door handles, which have been implicated in accidents leading to fatalities and injuries [2][3][4]. Group 1: Lawsuits and Incidents - Tesla was sued in a Washington state federal court following an incident where a Model 3 lost control, crashed, and caught fire, resulting in one death and one injury due to the inability to open the door [3]. - The lawsuit claims that the "unique and defective door handle design" obstructed rescue efforts, contributing to the tragic outcome [3]. - Another lawsuit from a previous incident involved a Model S where five passengers died because they could not escape a burning vehicle due to the door being inoperable after a crash [4]. Group 2: Regulatory Actions - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into Tesla's hidden door handles, affecting approximately 174,000 vehicles [4]. - NHTSA has received multiple complaints regarding the 2021 Model Y, specifically related to failures in the low-voltage battery system that rendered the door handles inoperative [4]. - Tesla is required to submit detailed records regarding the design and failure of the door systems by December 10, with potential fines of up to $140 million for non-compliance [5]. Group 3: Industry Responses and Legal Framework - Tesla's design team has indicated plans to change the door handle design in response to the ongoing issues [6]. - Legal experts note that the dual-track system of regulatory oversight and litigation in the U.S. creates significant pressure on companies like Tesla to address safety concerns [7]. - The U.S. product liability laws provide consumers with multiple avenues for lawsuits, including negligence and strict liability, which can lower the burden of proof for plaintiffs [8]. Group 4: Comparative Analysis of Legal Systems - The U.S. employs a model of "full compensation + punitive damages," which can lead to substantial financial repercussions for companies found liable [9][10]. - In contrast, China's legal framework focuses on statutory compensation with defined limits on punitive damages, which may result in less severe financial consequences for companies [10].